National estate agency Jackson-Stops has commissioned a new cartoon animation by renowned British artist Annie Tempest, celebrating the joy of blending city life with countryside pleasures. Launching this month, the latest film continues the much-loved adventures of Dicky and Daffy Tottering, and this time, the pair take to the skies.
Following on from cars and trains, the new animation sees Dicky take the controls of a helicopter, flying through the City of London and looping around The Gherkin before heading skywards. Meanwhile, Daffy rises gently in a hot air balloon, accompanied by her faithful dogs including Twiglet the puppy, as the pair pass one another in the air and wave.
The animation marks the third in a collaboration that began in 2021. It playfully reflects the modern rhythm of life for those who move between urban energy and rural calm, reinforcing Jackson-Stops’ expertise across both settings. Founded in 1910, Jackson-Stops now operates more than 40 offices nationwide, including four in London.
As lifestyle priorities continue to evolve in the post-pandemic era, the animation also nods to a growing trend of buyers seeking the best of both worlds: the vibrancy of city life alongside the space and tranquillity of the countryside. With hybrid working reshaping where and how people live, many are rediscovering the appeal of urban centres while still valuing easy access to rural escapes. Through Annie Tempest’s signature wit and charm, Dicky and Daffy Tottering capture this shift perfectly, celebrating the joy of moving seamlessly between town and country, and the freedom that comes with it.
Annie Tempest is best known for Tottering-by-Gently, which has appeared in Country Life magazine since 1993, as well as her earlier cartoon strip The Yuppies, which ran in the Daily Mail. Celebrated for her observational humour and distinctive take on British life, her work has become a natural fit for Jackson-Stops, capturing the quirks of the nation with warmth and wit.
The animation will spearhead Jackson-Stops’ digital advertising campaign for the year across multiple mainstream media platforms and social media channels.
The animation was handled by Eliot Wykes of the animation production company Part Human, known for television shows and advertisements for major brands including Coca Cola, Mercedes and Tesco. As with previous collaborations, Wykes worked closely with Annie at all stages of the production to ensure the result would raise a smile and be distinctively ‘Tottering’. The project underscores the national estate agency’s focused marketing strategy, ensuring campaigns seamlessly reach and influence its target audience.
Annie Tempest comments: “Creating a new animation for Jackson-Stops featuring Dicky and Daffy has been enormous fun. This time, Dicky is at the controls, soaring over the City of London, while Daffy drifts peacefully after a near miss with a cricket ball. I particularly love the contrast, and that charming moment when they catch sight of each other and wave as they glide past.”
Nick Leeming, Chairman of Jackson-Stops, comments: “Annie has translated Dicky and Daffy beautifully into animation once again, and this time they’ve taken to the skies. It’s warm, witty and unmistakably ‘Tottering’, and reflects our ambition to keep raising the bar with imaginative, distinctive campaigns. It also speaks directly to where Jackson-Stops excels, whether in town or country, we pride ourselves on being the national estate agents that locals recommend.”
For more information on Jackson-Stops, please visit www.jackson-stops.co.uk.
